I worked for a small charity in London in the early 2000’s, Reason Partnership. Our mission was helping people in developing countries adversely affected in their mental health by constant poverty, conflict and natural disasters. Such conditions make it very difficult, if not impossible, to run facilities and deliver services to the mentally ill, leaving a very vulnerable segment of the population even more vulnerable. I was a trustee and a huge supporter of a small organisation working against the odds but fundraising for development work on mental health issues is very difficult and Reason Partnership has closed.

I documented RP’s work with partner organizations in Peru and in southern Africa. The images in this series are from Zimbabwe and from Cape Town, South Africa.

Psychiatric ward in Chinoyi District Hospital, Chinoyi, Zimbabwe

Tirivanhu Therapeutic Farm, a farm where clients live and work, near Harare, Zimbabwe

John Nyambewa, who believes he is 17 years of age. He lives with his brother's family, who say he is 68 years of age. John worked as a builder until 1982, when he simply left and lived in the bush until 1999, when his brother found him. He will still disappear without warning, so is watched closely by family members. His family believe that he is possessed by a demon. He receives no treatment.

Patient in the psychiatric ward of Chinoyi District Hospital, Chinoyi, Zimbabwe.

Psychiatric ward in Chinoyi District Hospital, Chinoyi, Zimbabwe

Woman in an isolation cell in the psychiatric ward of Chinoyi District Hospital, Chinoyi, Zimbabwe.

A patient in the psychiatric ward at Chinoyi District Hospital, Chinoyi, Zimbabwe.

A woman with AIDS in her home in Harare, Zimbabwe. Her husband died from AIDS and she contracted AIDS from him. Her husband's family ignores her now that he has died but they have made attempts to take her house and property. She worries about her inability to provide for her children and their future welfare when she dies.

A theatre group staging a play for children about the consequences of AIDS, near Harare

A mentally ill man whose sporadic violent attacks on members of his family forced a decision by his father to build bars into the windows and doors of two rooms in the family home. The man himself agreed that this was the best plan. He leaves his virtual cell for periods during the day and to go to the city hospital for treatment. Harare, Zimbabwe.